Defcon 3 2/13/2013

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In 2011 congress passed a law saying that if both parties.

Couldn't agree on a plan to reach our deficit goal.

About a trillion dollars worth of budget cuts would automatically go into effect this year.

These sudden.

Harsh.

Arbitrary cuts would jeopardize -- military readiness.

They devastate priorities like education and energy and medical research.

They would certainly slower recovery.

And cost us hundreds of thousands of jobs.

That's why Democrats Republicans business leaders and economists have already -- of these cuts.

Known here in Washington as the sequester.

A really bad idea.

Okay well Jeff -- -- Obama talking about defense cuts.

Something it was by the way he is idea in the first place we have senator Jim in -- -- the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee joining us now.

From the Russell building.

The -- you about last night -- -- the chamber where the president what is she may bat he doesn't think sequestration is a great idea but it was his idea of.

Spike delisted -- you got to realize.

This all happened because of his four years of pledges to gave -- five point three trillion dollars in deficit.

You know aren't our audience out there to know that that is more deficits and every Republican.

In the history these countries can could be combined.

So that is what got us in this play in that probably the first place.

Guys I'm only dealing with the defense part of this thing because that's my job and the ranking member on the armed services committee.

And I can tell -- that's -- -- America.

Even his own secretary defense Leon Panetta says it's devastating use those words and all the rest that -- it -- you.

Now he's he's very effective at putting a finger at other people and that's what he's doing right now.

He's got the Pope would have -- -- used very effectively.

So my job -- to make sure everyone knows that he is the reason.

-- if he -- forget about his heavy deficits.

You did it the best way to simplify this is on all spending except defense it is increased 30%.

During his administration.

If this is the only area that has been cut.

It's been cut by actually having -- It's being kept by delays active delaying a 179.

F thirty -- right now -- you probably keep on delaying.

There's somebody else's problem and by putting his liberal environmental agenda.

In the budget that is the defense that.

Now that's what is going on right now I'm talking about and you've heard me talk about this before.

Having the navy hey.

57 times as much per gallon for this experimental field for 450000.

Gallons it wouldn't purchase.

Air force the same way so that's where he's he's had ended his -- for solar panels paid for all these these.

In his entire -- program so he is this an army.

The military.

Frankly I think he's enjoying.

Wow plus senator you know what -- does come up with some other plant and two or three weeks time we're gonna have a 10% cut across the board.

In defense spending what does that do to bed this national security posture the United States number one and what is it due to the men and women in the military.

With a Stephen why would -- dirty do now without forget about sequestration.

He is stuff they slowed the spending down or reduces spending for military by 487.

Billion dollars.

And that's without with sequestration.

By doing this yes it increases the risk we had a hearing about this for this service -- and I asked -- the question they've responded.

In terms of our readiness.

This kind of -- -- readiness.

He blows the it is is what is necessary to reduce the risk.

If Greece goes at risk translates into lives -- we have the lives of our are our military.

On the line right now and that's how serious it is in again.

You know a true liberal -- in the Unita military anyway -- end so I think there are a lot of people out there rejoicing as to what is happening to the military now.

There is one fallback position.

Two weeks from right now as we all that's gonna happen KT.

But I did introduced simply without filing it just to get the ball rolling.

I have talked to all five service -- and told them that we get right up to march 1 and we don't have this thing resolved.

Will they are they going to be in addition they could take the bottom line -- the top I guess -- say -- that cuts.

And readjust -- in those cuts and and that would dramatically reduce the current crisis we're facing.

It might happen it might not happen today gives me oh my time on -- -- -- -- I'm not that that's McIntire I don't have two weeks so that.

Yeah well let me tell you -- what great things about the show is that people are watching you in real time on their computers are sending in questions for me to ask you.

Greg has made the point that the US has -- expensive military on earth.

But somebody else for protect us and pay for it we got sure -- show that ever did that at that people say -- because his military spending is so high.

Is more than all of the countries in the world spend on their defense budgets combined.

What do we need anything that high for.

Are you tell -- -- and I think this comes from -- authority I can tell you this is true.

Most Americans think when their kids or their wives husbands go off to -- they're given the very best of everything they're not.

We were that way at one time that -- has changed in the last twenty years it is not that situation today for example.

-- -- -- the line of sight cannon is there -- five countries that make it better wouldn't including South Africa that we do so you tell Greg that really.

I'm biased I agree -- and I've been considered the most conservative member of it probably more than anybody else -- and I'm a big spender to areas.

Defense and transportation or infrastructure that's what government is supposed to be doing.

So I'm not satisfied and -- right now we're talking about nominee -- confirming.

-- go to be the secretary of defense we have all these this long history of relationships with the hero and -- all these problems that we brought out.

Everyone is aware of to just tell Greg.

I don't want a fair fight wouldn't go to war I would -- OK we mentions senator hagel yesterday your committee voted out.

Senator hails nominations out had to go to the full floor of the senate are you gotta fight that and what do you think we'll have.

-- put -- already done -- I think a lot of people are aware because I -- came out against him the day that he was nominated.

Because -- you know I knew what his background was over there.

Well right now at my effort is -- I would be doing it just a few minutes I am committed to do that I know I can do into the rose.

I'm not gonna actually filibusters says -- you don't have to.

I wouldn't be able to get a sixty vote.

March.

So that the those who are trying to confirm them we'll have to have sixty votes otherwise it's fifty woods when they got 51 north to the Democrat party you talk about discipline KT.

You know Republicans aren't -- Democrats are there's not one Democrat.

Who stand up against Obama in this case an awful lot -- -- historically have been pro Israel.

They're living in misery right now so what you're gonna see happen in just a few minutes I'm wouldn't make that motion to force a sixty vote.

Threshold.

And right now all the Democrats as 55 -- there if we get hold all the Republicans.

We -- to defeat this -- Are -- gonna have exciting next two weeks that's for sure.

Let me ask you what the things I was struck -- class I was a president talking about energy energy independence development of America's energy resource is here from Oklahoma that's an energy so.

I -- this this is my issue and of course what he's done he's had aimed for here at five year actually.

War on sponsor of fields to try to kill well.

Gas in cool right now over 50% of our energy is provided by fossil fuels -- we can't run this machine called America without it.

But he's beholden if you -- now -- reelected.

To moveon.org.

-- George source and Micheal moor in the Al Gore crowd and all that.

They want to kill hydraulic fracturing knowing full well that if you kill hydraulic -- you can't get oil and gas had a tight formations.

We are now in the state of Oklahoma -- prosperity our problems finding people who work.

Because we have a strong energy.

Last night when he said that well it's increase their production increase since I've been president sure advance Paul in the private sector.

He has held down the public sector if we could really if he would release that public sector would you be totally independent from the Middle East.

Totally independent from the -- Chavez and anybody else we could spiral -- energy.

Okay well we've got I know you gotta run because you've got to run out of the floor of the senate -- -- beyond -- -- think we ought to look for in the next few weeks as we -- deal with.

Defense budget cuts nominations all these issues.

Well I think undated but you guys who -- let him hard deadline of march 1 -- only -- -- -- -- and that's the thing that scares me the most I didn't think we get in this situation.

So we do you have that fallback position that I described to you and we have the chiefs working on that now.

It's going to be devastating though it's always we have this guy in the White House we're gonna have a weaker and weaker and weaker defense system.

It for Greg who called -- that question.

All yesterday's talk to any of the military who come home -- with -- reserve component to guard reserve asked them that question.

And out tea we need a stronger we have let our our defenses down under this Obama administration and like any time in history.

OK well thank you so much for taking the time to join us senator Jim and -- Republican of Oklahoma and ranking member.

Of the Senate Armed Services Committee thanks a lot thank you -- Thank you.

We're turning out to one of my hot button issues which is cyber security cyber hacking.

The new 21 century military platform and we have joining us our -- Catherine Herridge is going to join us as soon as we take a break and talk about cyber security and what the president plans to do about it.

I welcome back to -- country ever been hacked well.

You probably have you -- even know about it which during this asked Catherine Herridge.

Marching -- house correspondent and she's got the latest on president Obama's executive order.

Cybercrime and hacking was the president going to be able that's right.

-- ITT thank you very much the head of the National Security Agency in the US cyber command telling reporters this morning.

The the threat is real and growing and he cited the recent analysis service attacks on virtually every major US bank.

As well as a cyber assault on the Saudi national oil company.

This executive order is only a down payment on what we need to address the threat.

This executive -- can only move us so far.

And is not a substitute for legislation.

We need legislation and we needed quickly to defend our nation.

Aside from the attacks on the major banks in this recent attack on the Saudi oil firm aramco revealed.

And ability to not only overwhelmed computer networks but also -- infiltrate heavily guarded systems.

With the destruction of computer hardware and also data.

Fox News recently spoke with the head of the House Intelligence Committee -- this dramatic evolution in the threat.

Seeing them shut down the Saudi company aramco there one of their main oil companies in Saudi Arabia.

In a very sophisticated.

Very dangerous attack.

So not only it wasn't just a denial of service mean you couldn't get access to your information.

They actually broken machines manipulated data to change it very sophisticated.

Last year the senate cyber bill fails and later today congressman Rogers.

Along with the ranking member of his committee does troopers Berger will reintroduce.

The house version of that legislation.

If there's sort of a wrinkle in all of this is from some privacy rights groups.

Who say that they don't think the standards are good enough in terms of project at protecting what they called.

And we're gonna see more sharing of this type of information.

As.

You see this ramping up not only by the central government but also the private sector to try and prevent the cyber attacks -- Iowa Katherine Harris from washing our Washington bureau talking about cyber crime which I think is going to be a story sadly with us for an awful long time thanks -- thank you -- We're another turn to another thing the president said last night.

I'm gonna say the union address we talked about.

North Korea's recent nuclear test.

Okay we're -- -- about that -- talk about it and not listen to what the president said but let me tell you what the presence that he talked to made reference.

To the attack at the north -- the military tests at the north Koreans had.

Monday night an underground tests of their newest -- latest nuclear explosion we've got turning us right now from Washington.

Doctor mark groom bridge he's BDC director of united against a nuclear Iran now.

You don't want -- to get nuclear weapons but you also an -- an awful lot about North Korea's nuclear.

Weapons program and you think the two of them are connected what happened in North -- why should we care -- Absolutely.

I -- a -- short straw when I worked for John ball and so I actually was a delegate to the six party talks and time I've.

With united against nuclear Iran about my focus is actually North Korea.

But what what happened I think here wise.

-- -- -- Who -- only been in power for a year after his father passed away.

Essentially he's trying to establish his -- -- days and his -- trying to bolster his credentials and so.

Contrary to what a lot of people thought.

-- he spent two years in elementary school in Switzerland but that did not a reformer.

-- you know he make and so and therefore you know he's he's really following in his father's footsteps in terms of the military first policy ends.

And so this this new test is actually quite provocative.

And actually a serious threat.

OK mark then happens to that part of the world to North Korea's.

Test something what happens with South Korea what happens with Japan to -- Alter their military positions.

I think certainly in terms that Japan absolutely well I mean you have to keep in mind that.

In terms of both South Korea and Japan both of them have newly elected governments and and people coming into power engines -- -- -- in Japan.

He's he's pretty hawkish on on on China and North Korea I certainly support those positions.

But he he understands the thread I I I've met with him personally he understands the threat that North Korea poses and I think that.

I'm not suggesting that -- Japan is gonna make the decision to it.

You to develop nuclear weapons but they're certainly going to take a much more.

-- aggressive posture.

In terms of the threat that opposes and I certainly understand sport that.

I'm -- the president did talk about last night was a -- and the threat of Iran's nuclear weapons.

Let's take a listen to what the president said -- like you to talk about the connection between North Korea and Iran's nuclear weapons.

-- -- -- As the leaders of Iran must recognize the now the time for a diplomatic solution.

Because -- coalition stands united in demanding that they meet their obligations and we will do what is necessary to prevent that.

From getting a nuclear weapons.

I've got to tell you that was a same language we used to hear even from the Bush Administration.

About North Korea were going to prevent them from coming to having nuclear weapons and yet we've just seen North Korea has come about as close as you can actually come to really having a nuclear weapon.

What are we doing about stopping Iran's nuclear program.

Unfortunately actually very little and we we seem to be trapped and I was I was in the Bush Administration.

And I it.

I freely admit that I think that one of the -- -- the Bush Administration particularly in the second term.

Was that we felt that we could negotiate a solution.

In terms of getting them to yield back -- or or at least change their posture.

And one -- it it mean when people talk about the nexus of North Korea and Iran.

Do you can -- axis of evil you can call it.

Axis proliferation -- I think that one of the primary dangers about the nuclear test that North Korea just conducted.

Not just in terms of their nuclear test but also on terms of their ballistic missile program is that they're sharing this technology with Iran and that.

That's probably one of the most destabilizing factors we have to confront.

Okay well pretty scary stuff doctor mark -- bridge for the united against nuclear Iran as an organization.

Dedicated to preventing Iran from becoming a nuclear weapons state.

And it looks like the clocks run and out so thank you for joining -- British take a break and then come back Antarctic ambassador Frank -- United States former US ambassador to Egypt.

About what the presence of -- -- about Syria and its upcoming trip to his room.

We'll keep pressure on a Syrian regime that has murdered its own people.

And support opposition leaders that respect the rights of every series.

And we will stand steadfast -- Israel in pursuit of security and a lasting peace.

Well it sounded good it's out of -- president Obama's going to stand steadfast with Israel and Syria were upset about the fact that they've blossomed.

70000 people and they got.

Hundreds of thousands of refugees the question is -- what you gonna do about it.

And we have joining us one of our favorites ambassador Frank -- -- US ambassador to Egypt.

Just briefly what do you think is possible with Syria.

Kiki I am delighted to be back here first of all and thank you for including me.

The Syrian problem is really serious.

It's the loss of life as you pointed out it's the refugees.

Which -- poring over the borders and to Turkey Lebanon.

Jordan huge impact on those countries.

It's the destruction of the country it isn't just an awful situation.

But there's worse to come and that is is that country slides -- to a civil war.

You could see a situation in which in the end of this regime is not going to bring peace therefore.

The administration in my judgment is absolutely right.

To put full force behind getting a transitional.

Government in place.

That brings to the table those who were in power those who were out of power and try to contain politically.

This matter going forward at the same time.

To increase the pressure on the regime we've taken some steps of this record but more can be done my own view.

Is that tied with they push for a political outcome.

You could increase some of the military pressures in the number of options in that regard it could be taken.

But the main thing I would argue for.

Is you've got to try to create a structure.

-- will bring Russia China into the picture.

Get us -- the UN and provide a stable framework for managing.

A crisis -- go on for years.

I was talking about the crisis that seems to be brewing.

Egypt here at the ambassador to Egypt considered be one of the great American ambassadors to Egypt of all time.

The two years ago everybody was doing in this great -- -- you know -- -- revolution Egyptian.

People are taking charge of their own destiny -- were overthrown dictator and that's going to be a great democracy -- -- we had you on the show.

Two years ago you were optimistic that you -- cautiously optimistic.

Where we now.

Well I'm still cautiously optimistic in the long run.

Egypt's an ancient civilization and country and will find.

Its own footing but it has a long ways to go.

I'm afraid to say that it's not only.

The -- subtle political situation in the country.

With a great deal secular -- -- challenging.

The Muslim Brothers who won the elections several elections now.

But on behind that KT is a huge economic problem.

In which the Egyptian pound is collapsing.

Driving up food prices fuel prices.

The budget has a whopping deficit.

In the middle of it -- there's no money for the development of the country and jobs for young egyptians.

So all the reasons the -- egyptians went to the streets two years ago.

Largely economic opportunity that's got worse that.

-- I think they went of course for economic opportunity.

But I also think they went to the streets.

Because.

Of a matter of dignity of an old regime that was.

Really not prepared to listen to what young egyptians want to do in the future.

No they have a highly volatile political situation.

-- six months ago you might have said there was some Brothers have -- Egypt have taken and over but they've been severely challenged.

And I hope they're going to find a middle course to include.

In the national consensus elements of the opposition.

So you come up.

With the agreed way forward to address these very tough economic and societal problem -- military Egyptian not.

Future military -- standing to the side allowing the civilian politicians.

To work things out you have an elected government.

Military supported that elected process he will allow this.

Political.

Outcome for Egypt to play through its in no hurry to come back.

And try to take responsibility for each that's Morrison's house -- that'd be very hard country to manage and particularly if it who's in polls.

-- -- -- -- in the last week the present on the Denish of has -- traveled to Egypt he wants to have a relationship with Egypt that's the first time that's happened.

An Egyptian a -- and relationship -- since the fall of the Shah of Iran in the late 1970s.

Is there something to.

There is at a new alliance in the.

-- no I don't think it's a new alliance in the classic sense.

Egypt is reaching out to be able to be relevant in the Middle East it needs contacts and its own mind -- all the players.

And Iran is clearly a very big player.

That's tough for us to take -- and I regret that the egyptians have taken this step.

Just at a time when we in around or sitting down to look at the nuclear question.

Inside the but while I -- the master of timing I think I understand the motives that said I do not believe.

There it is a threat.

To the peace that exist today between Israel in the future Egypt is well served by that peace and knows that -- well serve.

And I believe Israelis see -- consumer.

What and whether president has announced as well that he's going to make his first trip.

In his press as present as states to Israel was gonna talk to him had been Netanyahu about when he gets him.

Well they're probably a lot of things they can talk about but most of all it's important for our newly elected president.

The prime minister of Israel to get together they've had their differences in the past they need to sit down and read -- -- and equation.

So that they can begin to address the very tough issues in an atmosphere.

Of understanding that is always -- Between our president and the Israeli leadership.

-- got to get themselves back on good footing and that will then make it possible to look at the tough choices in a peace process.

How do you manage the delicate question of around.

How do you keep regional security we need to have good communications.

Between Washington Tel Aviv the president stepped except -- -- she sure wish we put you on a plane and send you to the Middle East back again.

At a rate of ambassador frank was nearly -- US ambassador to Egypt.

Patton Boggs brilliant attorney and one of the people everybody listens to.

-- it has anything to do with the Middle East thank you for joining us thank you can.

OK if you get my take on the sequestration cuts the looming cuts that are coming -- on -- coming it's going to happen the one argument I would make is please do not take it on the backs of our wounded warriors are veterans.

And our men and women in uniform.

We did that before -- after the Vietnam War was a stain on the soul of America we should not do that again.

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Defcon 3 2/13/2013

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